Conference

Day 2 — Friday, 26 September 2025

Session 5: Green Building Sector Skills:
Advancing Green Education and Empowering The Building Workforce

This session explored how partnerships among academic institutions, industry leaders, and government agencies are creating pathways for education and training that prepare professionals for a sustainability‑driven future. The discussion examined efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the increasing demand for green building expertise.

Speakers highlighted initiatives ranging from foundational courses to integrated sustainability programs in universities, emphasizing the importance of equipping students and professionals with the knowledge and competencies needed in the evolving built environment sector.

The Green Building Sector Skills Council supports competency‑building across the workforce and strengthens alignment with national green building standards and PHILGBC’s professional pathways. During BG2025, Ms. Edriza Banag introduced the Green Building Foundation Course, promoted under GBSSC, as a core skills‑development initiative designed to equip learners with essential knowledge in sustainable building practices.

Mr. Jared Aaron Cruz, Dean, College of Architecture and Sustainable Built Environment, shared how the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) integrated sustainability into its core pillars of instruction, research, and community engagement. His presentation demonstrated how PLM is embedding green principles across academic programs and institutional operations to cultivate environmentally responsible professionals and inspire a culture of sustainability within the university.

Dr. Adrian del Monte, Dean, School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Design, presented the University of San Carlos’ (USC) U Shape Communities initiative, emphasizing how the university incorporates sustainability priorities into research, extension programs, and curriculum development. Beyond integrating sustainability principles into teaching, USC has also applied sustainability strategies in its facilities and community extension activities, including projects such as the Sustainable School Building for Off‑Grid Islands.

Ms. Mylene Oliva, Program Head, Sustainability Management, discussed how Enderun Colleges is shaping future sustainability leaders through its interdisciplinary Sustainability Management program. She highlighted the program’s focus on systems thinking, practical engagement with industry, and capacity-building that prepares students to lead transformative sustainability initiatives in business and the built environment.

Session 6: Community Involvement:
Strategies for Developing Equitable Green Districts

Resilient cities start with inclusive planning. This session explored how sustainability leaders embedded green principles into urban districts while ensuring that communities remained at the center of transformation efforts.

Insights from leading developments highlighted strategies for stakeholder engagement, collaborative design, and integrating sustainability goals into large‑scale developments. These approaches demonstrated how climate‑ready districts can also be socially inclusive, community‑responsive, and shaped by meaningful participation.

Mr. Anthony Ilaga, Division Head – Planning and Design, D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc., shared how Aseana City and Parqal demonstrate district‑level sustainability through integrated urban design, walkable environments, and community‑oriented open spaces. He highlighted how the developments incorporate green mobility, climate‑responsive architecture, and public‑realm enhancements that support both environmental performance and social vibrancy.

Ms. Michelle Katherine Carlos, Sustainability Associate Manager, Ayala Land Estates, discussed Ayala Land’s approach to stakeholder engagement in building inclusive and sustainable districts. She emphasized how early collaboration with communities and partners allows sustainability goals—such as low‑carbon design, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced livability—to be embedded throughout project planning and implementation.

Ms. Cathy Saldaña, President, pdp + Architecture, presented Southlink Estates as an emerging model for resilient, people‑centered green district development. She showcased how the project integrates climate‑adaptive design, sustainable mobility systems, and community‑responsive spaces to create a district that supports long‑term resiliency while delivering high‑quality urban experiences.

Session 7: Enabling Circular Solutions:
Bridging sustainability and greening supply chains in the built environment

Circular economy principles are transforming how materials and resources are managed in construction—reducing waste, promoting reuse, and extending the lifecycle of building components. This session examined how these concepts were being applied across the built environment to improve material efficiency and strengthen sustainability outcomes.

Insights from sustainability leaders highlighted strategies for responsible sourcing, material recovery, and low‑impact logistics. Their approaches demonstrated how circular solutions can enable greener supply chains and contribute to a more resilient built environment.

The PHILGBC promotes responsibly sourced, sustainability‑aligned building products and services through the Green Building Procurement Hub, a platform designed to support professionals and organizations in making informed procurement decisions. Ms. Cyrean Silva explained how the Hub guides users in selecting materials and solutions that enhance environmental performance across the built environment, particularly for projects pursuing green building certification under BERDE, ANZ/PH, and H+W.

Ms. Leilani Kanapi, Vice President for Strategic Procurement, Arthaland Corporation, discussed Arthaland’s responsible sourcing framework and how procurement decisions can play a critical role in driving sustainability outcomes. She highlighted practices that prioritize low‑impact materials, supplier transparency, and lifecycle considerations, demonstrating how strategic procurement contributes to greener and more resilient developments.

Ms. Lourdes Guzman shared principles for advancing sustainability across supply chains in the construction sector. She emphasized strategies for optimizing logistics, improving material efficiency, and strengthening collaboration between suppliers and builders to support a more circular and environmentally responsible built environment.

Session 8: Research and Education for Sustainable Urban Solutions

This session showcased how research, technology, and education were leveraged to address urban sustainability challenges and expand possibilities for greener, more resilient cities.

Selected papers from students of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila presented fresh perspectives and breakthroughs in design strategies, resource efficiency, and climate adaptation. Their work offered the industry an opportunity to explore emerging ideas and engage with the next generation of innovators contributing to a sustainable urban future.

Integrating Vertical Farming and Biocyclic Resource Recovery in Balintawak Market: A Site‑Specific Agro‑Architectural Approach to Circular Urban Systems

Mr. Aris Pamintuan presented a site‑specific agro‑architectural proposal for the Balintawak Market that integrated vertical farming with biocyclic resource recovery systems. His study demonstrated how circular urban agriculture can reduce waste, optimize land use, and create a self‑sustaining food‑production model that supports both community needs and environmental resilience.

AniLytics: A Solar‑Powered IoT and AI‑Driven Aquaponics System for Sustainable Agriculture

Mr. Luis Maverick Gabriel introduced AniLytics, a solar‑powered aquaponics system enhanced with IoT sensors and AI‑based analytics. He illustrated how the system improves monitoring, resource efficiency, and yield optimization, offering a scalable and technology‑driven solution for sustainable urban agriculture.

The Future of Urban Living: Balancing Growth, Environment, and Community Well‑being

Ms. Andreya Lucille Algado and Ms. Shannen Arkheigh Carzon explored strategies for shaping future urban environments that harmonize economic growth, environmental performance, and community well‑being. Their research highlights planning and design approaches that promote livability, climate resilience, and inclusive development within rapidly evolving urban contexts, particularly through case studies from Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

Session 9: Health and Well-being in the Built Environment

The built environment plays a vital role in supporting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its occupants. This session explores how project teams are applying the guiding principles of PHILGBC’s Health and Well-being for Buildings (H+W) tool throughout the planning and implementation of their building projects.

Grounded in five core categories—Health, Comfort, Lifestyle, Social, and Environment—the H+W framework promotes design and operational strategies that prioritize occupant well-being, safety, and overall quality of life. By focusing on human-centered outcomes, project teams are integrating features that enhance environmental quality, encourage movement and interaction, and foster inclusive, resilient spaces.

The session will highlight practical approaches and case examples that demonstrate how these principles are being embedded across various building types, resulting in environments that are not only sustainable but also nurturing and responsive to the diverse needs of users.

Mr. John Reniel Englis presented the PHILGBC Health and Well-being for Buildings (H+W) framework, which integrates people-centered performance into building planning, design, and operations. He explained how the H+W framework supports building owners and project teams in assessing indoor environmental quality, promoting occupant comfort, and adopting practical strategies that enhance well-being outcomes across different building types.

Representing Daikin Airconditioning Philippines, Mr. Dexter Detabali focused on the critical role of HVAC systems in safeguarding health and comfort in modern buildings. He shared how advancements in filtration, ventilation, and energy‑efficient cooling technologies contributed to improved indoor air quality across commercial and institutional facilities.

Mr. Raymond Rufino, Chief Executive Officer, NEO, presented the company’s long‑term commitment to creating high‑performing, wellness‑oriented workplaces. He shared how NEO integrated health and well‑being principles across its building portfolio, demonstrating how investments in health‑focused building management translated into stronger tenant satisfaction, greater resilience, and sustained market leadership in green and people‑centered developments.

Closing

BG2025 was formally closed by Ms. Rowena Ramos, Conference Chair for BG2025, Vice Chair, PHILGBC Board of Trustees, and Principal, Ecotektonika, Inc., with an invitation to all of us: "Let this conference be the starting point for designing and enabling the change—it is where shared ideas become collective action, and that action leads us toward a fair and green future."

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